Totally frustrated. When trying to open a current file I am getting the attached error messages. I have been working on this file for over 16 hours and have opened and closed it several times with out any problems. When I tried to open the file today, the program crashed. The last time I was working on the file I exported the 3d model. I have done this before without any problems. Any clues as to the reason for the crash. I hope this does not continue as I would not trust the program again, as 16 hours is a lot of productivity down the drain.
Hi Bob,
Sorry to hear about your crash problem. To lose 16 hours of work is very frustrating. Did you not have Autosave turned on? It can be set to do multiple saves so you end up with a new save at half hour (for example) increments so you can step back through them if necessary.
Crashes are usually caused by corrupt walls (occasionaly floor or roof) or imported objects. Exporting the model should not cause any problems. I have been using TFP and its predecessor for 15 or more years and it is very stable. I have had very few crashes and all have been caused by the user!! ::)
Allan
Allan, just refresh my memory, where are the Autosave files located? Autosave was turned on so there may be a ray of light at the end of the tunnel.
Thanks Bob
Hi Bob,
The backup files are located in the same folder where your actual project is saved.
If you look in Settimngs / Program Settings / General, it will tell you the location of the Projects folder.
Backup filles will have the same name as you named project but with _1, _2 etc added to the name and the file extension is BKP instead of BLD.
In the images you will see three files called _autosave.bld, _autosave_1.bkp and _autosave_2.bkp. This is a temporary project I was working on just to answer someones question (so I had not given it a name). It just names it _autosave.bld until you give it a proper name. _autosave_1.bkp was saved half an hour earlier and _autosave_2.bkp an hour earlier. They all show the same time because the most recent save, _autosave.bld , is renamed _autosave_1.bkp and the previous _1 is renamed _2 while the previous _2 disappears. With 3 backups set you get three saves every time at half hourly intervals or whatever period you set.
Obviously the second three files are a named project following the same pattern.
A warning here: When you start a project, give it a name! If you just leave it unnamed, TFP will still generate the autosave file BUT if you close and do not save, the autosave files are all deleted (and this also happens if a crash occurs - depending on it's cause maybe ). Start a new project, save and name it, then start working!
If you did name your project originally, then you should be able to open TFP and go to File / Open and change the selector to BKP instead of the default BLD and you will hopefully find a backup (or two) that is not corrupt. Or you may have to choose the BKP file in Windows Explorer, right click and choose Open With and then select TFP.
It may take longer for the autosave to run every so often, but multiple backups can be a lifesaver! (and could save 16 hours of work! ;) )
Allan
PS: Did you hear the one about the politician who said that: "in the interest of saving energy, the 'light at the end of the tunnel' has been turned off " ? Hopefully yours is still on!!
Allan, thank you for the information. Appreciated. Unfortunately both the bkp and bld files crash TFP when opened. See attachment. I cannot understand why the files crash the program as I have not come across this problem with any other program I use. I can understand why an image might not render when walls or roofs are corrupt but not when opening a file. This will make me very nervous about using TFP in the future as I cannot risk another crash like this one. Do you know if IMSI or Envisioneer are aware of this serious fault.
Bob
Hi Bob,
I have heard nothing to that effect on either forum. Is it crashing with every BLD or BKP file, older ones that were OK? Can you open the program and create a new project? If not it may be that something on your computer is interfereing with TFP. Has anything new been installed recently? A dll file from a new installation may not work with TFP. Reinstalling TFP may correct that. Worth a try. It is so possible that some form of malware is causing the problem too so a malware scan may be worthwhile also.
Allan
Allan, this is the only file I cannot open, new ones open OK, as do all other older files. This one file is the problem, which make me believe that it not malware. Security is up to date.
Hi Bob,
Email the file (bkp 1) and I will see if I can open it. If I can then resaving it may make it work for you - hopefully!
( alches AT iinet DOT net DOT au.)
Allan
In the file that crashes, did you import any objects etc. from outside TFP or was everything constructed internally?
Doug, all created internally. The only thing I did before closing the file was to export the 3d drawing which was successful, via file export 3d drawing.